All About Cork: Disney inspiration leads to mural at Ballincollig library

A quote from Walt Disney — “There’s more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island” — inspired a librarian and artist to paint a glorious mural at Ballincollig Library.

“When the landlady, Orla, said she would like to do something with the wall outside the library, some inner voice of mine told me do it,” Diana Sipova says.

That’s when the Disney quote led to a mural on the wall of the Ballincollig Family Resource Centre, outside the library.

In the process of sketching the mural, she decided that it was important to include in it pictures of people old and young, people from all backgrounds and nationalities, and people of differing abilities.

“My idea was to reflect unity, diversity, and inclusion, because these are very important topics nowadays, and it’s something that we try to promote in the library. 

Also, the imagery in the mural is inspired by my own childhood and my love of Disney movies, because I grew up with them.”

The Slovakian native has worked at Ballincollig Library for the past two years, coming first to Ireland in 2017 on scholarships to an Irish language course in Glencolmcille in Co Donegal, and to the Willie Clancy Summer School in Co Clare.

She subsequently studied at UCC as an Erasmus student and worked in Cork city and in Kenmare.

Graduating from a two-year course in graphic design and illustration in St John’s College, now the Cork College of FET, she got a job in Ballincollig Library in October 2022, and her love of the library is reflected in her mural.

“From the Walt Disney quote, I got this idea of a treasure chest filled with books, and I imagined all of these people of all realities around it and being in a state of happiness and just joy.”

Field of Dreams Cycle

It's almost time for the annual Down Syndrome Cork Field of Dreams Cycle, which takes place on Sunday, June 9.

This year, there are three distances available to those who take part in the cycle: 21km, which has an entry fee of €21, 50km, which has an entry fee of €35 and 100km, which has a fee of €45.

Registration for the cycle is available through Eventbrite, and the event starts and ends at the Cork Down Syndrome Field of Dreams on the Clash Road in Curraheen. Participants will be invited to in a pitstop in Ballinspittle and afterward for refreshments at the Field of Dreams.

Down Syndrome Cork has asked that their friends share news of the cycle with all of their friends and cycling clubs.

Féile success for Ballincollig

Ballincollig Hurling and Football Club U15s and Ballincollig LGFA U15s recently achieved a double success after winning the County Premier 1 and Division 1 Féile Football Finals.

The teams will now go forward and represent Cork at the National Féile on the weekend of June 29 in Connacht.

They are now fundraising to cover the travel and logistical expenses for the two events and to ensure the squads are fully prepared for the National Féile.

They are hopeful that their families, local community, and businesses will the players as they wear their club colours with pride on a national stage, making friends and memories for life.

Their fundraiser can be found on idonate/BallincolligGAALGFAFeile.

They have set a target of raising €8,000.

“We would appreciate any donation big or small,” the fundraising page says.

Local election candidates

Cork City Council has published the details of all of the candidates standing for the local elections, which will take place on Friday, June 7.

There are 17 candidates standing in the Cork City Southwest local election area, listed here as they will appear on the ballot paper. 

Candidates are listed alphabetically with their general address and their party affiliation.

• Andrea Christopher-Rea, Lehenaghbeg, Fine Gael. 
• Terry Coleman, Bishopstown, Fianna Fáil. 
• Albert Deasy, Bishopstown, Non-Party. 
• Fergal Dennehy, Togher, Fianna Fáil. 
• Colette Finn, Glasheen, Green Party/Comhaontas Glas. 
• Laura Harmon, Wilton, The Labour Party. 
• Colm Kelleher, Ballincollig, Fianna Fáil. 
• Garret Kelleher, Ballincollig, Fine Gael. Thomas Kiely, Togher, Cork, Non-Party. 
• Joe Lynch, Ballincollig, Sinn Féin. 
• Aran MacDonnchadha, Mardyke Walk, Non-Party. 
• Ciarán McCarthy, Ballincollig, Social Democrats. 
• Trevor McCarthy, Wilton, Sinn Féin. 
• Joanne Murphy, Ballincollig, Aontú. 
• Gary O’Brien, Ballincollig, Fine Gael. 
• Orla O’Leary, Model Farm Road, Sinn Féin. 
• Olga Shevchenko, Ballincollig, Fianna Fáil.

Scoil Eoin quiz night

Scoil Eoin is hosting a quiz night at 7.30pm on Thursday, June 6, at Ballincollig GAA Club.

The quiz is a fundraiser to cover the cost of outdoor furniture for the school.

It is restricted to over-18s only, with an entry fee of €40 per table of four.

Tickets are available from the school office and will be on sale at the door, depending on availability, with sales cash only.

All enquiries to [email protected].

Opportunity for dental nurse

Cronin Dental in the Old Town House on Ballincollig Main Street is advertising a full-time vacancy for a dental nurse.

It says nursing experience would be an advantage but not essential, and experience with social media or digital marketing would be a help.

The pay starts at €15 per hour, with an expected 32 hours per week, and on-site parking is provided.

Music among the trees

St Senan’s Church, Canon’s Cross, Inniscarra, will host an evening concert of local music at 8pm this Friday, May 31.

It promises to be a great evening’s entertainment in lovely surroundings.

All are welcome, with donations going to Cork Migrant Centre and Arc Cancer Services.

Ballincollig GAA weekly lotto

The numbers drawn in the weekly Ballincollig GAA Club lottery on Thursday, May 23 were: 2, 6, 21, and 35.

With a jackpot of €20,000, the draw is now at the highest amount it can reach and must be won. 

There was no jackpot winner last week, and consolation prizes went to Kay Carew (€100), Laoise Wood (€50), and Olive O’Sullivan (€50). 

The next draw will take place this week, on Thursday, May 30.

For details on how to enter the draw, see the club’s various social media pages.

Have Ballincollig news? [email protected]